Hyperplasia is defined as which description?

• A. Increase in cell number but cell remains normal
• B. Abnormal development or growth of cells (precancerous)
• C. Replacement of tissue by fibrous scar
• D. Metastasis to distant sites

Answer: (A)

Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells in a tissue, leading to enlargement, while the individual cells retain normal structure and function. This growth is driven by increased cell proliferation in response to hormonal or growth-factor signals, not by cells getting bigger themselves. That’s why it’s distinct from hypertrophy (where cells enlarge but numbers stay the same) and from processes that involve abnormal cell development or tissue destruction.

For example, hormonal hyperplasia of the endometrium occurs under estrogen influence, or benign prostatic hyperplasia involves increased cell numbers in the prostate. In contrast, fibrosis involves replacement of tissue with scar tissue, and metastasis refers to cancer cells spreading to distant sites. Dysplasia or neoplasia describes abnormal cellular development, not simply more normal-appearing cells.